Rotatable combustion apparatus for aligning individual flame tubes with access partsor manholes



. P. pxgswcoma 2,609,663 ROTATABLE COMBUSTION APP ATUS FOR ALIGNING INDIVIDUAL- Sept. 9, 1952 FLAME TUBES WITH ACCESS PARTS 0R MANHOLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed .July 21, 1951 m Mm 6 Nu NW QB h i: 0.0 0 0 QM W Qh NM, 0 O 0 laavenior P Zz' RN wcoma iiorwey TRN Sept. 9, 1952 p, p, NEWCQMB 2,609,663

ROTATABLE COMBUSTION APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING INDIVIDUAL. FLAME TUBES WITH ACCESS PARTS 0R MANHOLES Filed July 21, 1951 3 SheetS -Sheet 2 P. P. N EWCOMB Sept. 9, 1952 ROTATABLE COMBUSTION FLAME TUBES WI Filed July 21 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 m w u "w A. w \Q, m we M Q Mm %Q\ v Q9 f I... I 111- 7 m a n01}! j h m O O 0 P y m I a A O O T w I l. I m mw 0 6 Aw 1 ah, I l l AA A L A s L .VKM-MRN ,Thepresent invention relates to gas turbine power plants and particularly to an arrangement for removal and repair or'repl'acement' of either the ie'ntire flame tube or the fuel inlets and en trance heads of the individual flame tubes of the combustor. i;

It has generally been necessary in removal of the, burner cans to remove the surroundin .casm f-Which extends between the compressor and turbine casings and in many cases to disassemble either the straightening vane assembly in the discharge end of the compressor or the turbine nozzle assembly in order that the cans'may be removed; The principal object of the present invention is an arrangement by which to provide access to theindividual burner cans through a manhole provided in the casing.

If the combustor is of the so-.'called can-annular type in which the gas path fromthe compressor to'the turbine is a large annulus with the burning taking place in individual'cans located within the annulus, it is possible, in accordance with the invention, to remove the nozzles and inlet heads from the individual burner tubes through a single manhole by arranging them so that they may be rotated within the annular duct in which they are positioned. I

Another feature of the invention is a construction of the combustor such that the flame tubes may be rotated as a unit within the annular duct in which they are positioned so that any oneof the flame tubes may be selectively positioned adjacent to the opening through which the tubes may be accessible. Another feature of the invention is the arrangement of the fuel manifold for allof the burner cans in such a way that it forms a part of the rotatable structure.

Another feature is an arrangement for removal of both end caps and the associated flame tubes so that they may be inspected and repaired or.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a.

modification.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view substantially onthe;

line 5"-5 01 Fig. 4.

NITED STATE I I .i u z fi i v ,3. v

' nommsmcomvsmlt APPARATUS FOR I ALIGNING INDIVIDUAL FLAME runes. wrrn ACCESS PARTS R MANHQLEVS: M J l PLNeWcomb, Manchester, Conn, -assign0r" to United Aircraft Corporation, East Hartford,

1 Conn.,a'corporation of Delaware .7 as ucatisaiqsiy 21, 1951, Serial No. 237,964 V 1' f reclaims. 7 (c1. (iii-39.31)

With reference first to 1%; l, the combustor construction is shown in a gas- -turbine power plant in which the compressor 2 discharges com pressed air past straightening vanes 5 intoan annular duct 8 which extends from the discharge end of the compressor to the'inl'et or nozzle guide" vanes 8 of the turbine It. The compressor rotor 12 is connected by a shaft M to the turbine'rotor' it so that both rotorsturn as a unit. The shaft Hi may be supported in concentric relation to? the annular duct 6 by a framework It-which supports bearings for-the shafti 7 i The annular duct 6 has a'diffu'ser section 2 2: defined by diverging walls 24 and '25, and a sub--' stantially cylindrical portion 28 defined by walls 3!) and 32 both concentric to the axis of the shaft 94 and forming extensions of the walls 24 andifi. Downstream of the cylindrical portion the duct is defined by converging walls fl and 35 forming extensions of walls 36 and 32 and extending to vthe turbine inlet. A surrounding casingdt extends, around the outside of the an; nular 'ductfandforms a connection between the outer wall 24 of the diffuser and a forwardlyjpro jecting portion 40 of the turbine casing;

flfhe diffuser wall 24 has an opening' 42'therein which has aremovablecap 44 forminga part of; a

the diffuser wall. This can maybe heldfin'place' as by screws 48 and preferably has projecting 3 therethrough one or morerfuel supply pipes 48 which are removably connected to the fuel manifold 5;! as byunions 52. I j

Within the annular duct S'are aj, plurality"of flame tubes or burner'jcans 54 (see also Fig.2) which'are of such a diameter thattheyfit within the' annular duct in spacedrel'ation to the walls thereoflbeing held in the desired spaced/relation by'clips'5fi. The downstream ends 'of'the burner cans are tapered but notas rapidly as the oppositewalls-of the duct to engage with the walls of the duct at-ia point somewhat above theturi binejjnozzleii At the'upstream end of the burner duct there is .an annularclosure cap 58for the fiameQtuhe which .also formsa support for the.

' upstream end of a centraltube 60 located within;

theiburner can. This tube is supported. as by vanes 62 at its downstream end. The particular arrangement of the burner cansis described in greater, detail in thefcopending application' of Axel L. Highberg, SerialNo. 150,973, filed-March.

Q" fij al i 5 a a um er.,,of angularlyspaced; openings fo4 therein Which receive cups .G G the} o-ne 'ends 'oflwhichare attach dg a ap d face in' a downstreamhirectionl The"b'a"ses"6f of a cone which extends forwardly from the burner can with its walls in spaced substantially parallel relation to the diifuser portion of the annular duct. The upstream end of the member is shaped approximately to a rectangle (see Fig. 2) and has attached theretoan inner duct member 16 which functions to directsecondary .lair

into the tube 60. It will be noted that the duct 16 is notched as at 18 to provide for the escape of primary air into the space between the member 14 and the duct 16. It may be noted that the secondary air entering the tube 60 escapes into ,the space surrounding the tube through openings 80 and the secondary air surrounding the ban 54 also enters this space through the open n s :8

Themember 14 :has positioned therein the individual fuel nozzles -68 which fit within the bottoms of the cups 66. These nozzles are pref- ,erably supported by the fuel supply tubes 84 which extend between the nozzles and which are also connected to amounting bracket 86 extending through the wall of member 14. This mounting bracket is adapted to .be fastened to a support plate 88 to provide fuel communication with the tubes 9n forming a part of thefuel manifold 50. The fuel manifold is supported by a series of rollers 92 on a cylindrical part 84 of the-supporting frame [8 in such a manner that, once ,the manhole cover 44 has been removed and the fuel pipe .48 separated from the manifold, it may be slid forward as a unit, carrying therewiththe members .14 forthe several burner cans .and also carrying with it the individual fuel nozzles. The .oontours of the member 16 and the walls M and 26 are such that the longitu'dinal movement available for the members will move the downstream end-of thecap 58 with the caps therein far enough forward so that it will .clear the ends of the flame tubes and permit the entire fuel manifold assembly with the caps to be turned on the rollers 92 until the particular cap assembly needing repair .or .replacement is opposite the manhole. With the particular cap accessible ,it can be removed merely by undoing the screws 86 which hold .the bracket 86 on the mounting plate 88. With this arrangement it-is therefore possible to remove and ,repair or replace any one of the burner caps without the necessity .for disassembling the entire engine.

'Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the burner duct 28' which communicates between the discharge of the compressor 2 and the inlet of the turbine It is so arranged that the entire flame tube may be removed from the duct. In this arrangement the removable cap 44 is somewhat larger than the cap '44, being of sufficient area that "the entire flame tube .54 may be withdrawnas indicated by the dotted lines vinFig. 4. The burner can 54 is supported adjacent its downstream end by a ring run which supports on its inner surface'a series of rollers 1132 engaging in a depression I04 provided in the inner'wall 32 of the annular duct. .The ring 100 may be split as shown to provide for assemy; T ring mil-carries supporting loops I113 on its outer surface in a position to be engaged by clips 08 carried by the burner tube. This clip as will be noted has axially slideable engagement with the loop so that as the burner tube is pulled forwardly the clip is disengaged and permits theentire .burnertube to be withdrawn.

The front end of the inner tube is supported by spacing clips 56 as in the arrangement of Fig. l. The burner cap I4 is mounted on the fuel manifold '50 as above described and is arranged to be withdrawn in the manner above, described. It will be apparent that in this arrangement the individual flame tube with its associated cap will be placed in alignment with the manhole cover or cap 44 by turning the group of flame tubes as a unit within the annular duct. Once the flame tube and cap are in position it is obvious that they are readily removed from the duct for repair or replacement.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to. the specific embodiment herein" illustrated and described, but may be used ,in other ways without departure from its spirit as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

l. Ina gas turbine power plant, a compressor, a turbine, an annular duct from the .compressor discharge to the turbine inlet, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein, and a number of flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to eath other. in com! bination with a removable cover for the ,opening in said outer wall, and means for supporting said flame tubes for rotation as a unit with-' in said duct to position any one iii the tubes in alignment with the opening.

.2. In .a gas turbine power plant, .a compressor, a tur'binaan annular .duct from the com- Dresser discharge to the turbine inlet, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein; and a number of flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other. each cf said flame tubes having a cap at the inlet-end in combination with a removable cover for the opening in said outer wall, means for supportme said caps for rotation as .a unit within said duct .to position any one of said caps in alignment with said .cover for removal of said cap through the opening in said outer wall.

3. In a gas turbine power plant, a compressor, a turbine, an annular duct from the compressor discharge .to the turbine inlet, said duct having an outer .wall with an opening therein, and a. number of flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other, each of said flame tubes having a cap at 'the inlet end in combination with a removable cover for the opening in said outer wall, and 'means for supporting said flame tubes and caps for rotation as a unit within said duct to position anyone of the tubes and associated caps in alignment with the cover-for removal of said cap and tube through the opening in said outer Wall. V

4. In a gas turbinepower plant, a compressor, a turbine, an annular duct from the-compressor discharge to the turbine inlet, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein, and a,

number of flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other, each of said flame tubes having a cap at the inlet end, each cap supporting at least one fuel nozzle, in combination with a removable cover for the opening in said outer wall, and means for. supporting said caps for rotation as a unit within said duct to position any one of the caps in alignment with the cover for removal of the cap and nozzle through the opening.

5. In a gas turbine power plant, a compressor, a turbine, an annular duct from the compressor discharge to the turbine inlet, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein, and a number of flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other, each of said flame tubes having a cap at the inlet end, each cap supporting at least one fuel nozzle, in combination with a removable cover for the opening in said outer wall, and means for supporting said caps and flame tubes for rotation as a unit within said duct to position any one of the tubes in alignment with the cover.

6. In a gas turbine power plant, a compressor, a turbine, an annular duct from the compressor discharge to the turbine inlet, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein, a cover removably secured to said opening, flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other, caps at the upstream'ends of the flame tubes, and fuel nozzles supported in said caps in combination with means for supporting said caps and fuel nozzles for rotation as a unit about the axis of the duct for positioning any one of the caps in alignment with the opening.

'7. In a gas turbine power plant, a compressor,

a turbine, an annular duct from the compressor discharge to the turbine inlet, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein, a cover removably secured to said opening, flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other, caps at the upstream ends of the flame tubes, and fuel nozzles supported in said caps in combination with means for supporting said caps, fuel nozzles, and flame tubes for turning as a unit about the axis of the annular duct to position any one of the tubes and associated caps in alignment with the opening.

8. In a gas turbine power plant, a compressor, a turbine, an annular duct from the compressor discharge to the turbine inlet, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein, a cover removably secured to said opening, flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other, caps at the upstream ends of the flame tubes, and fuel nozzles supported in said caps in combination with means for supporting said caps, fuel nozzles, and flame tubes for turning as a unit about the axis of the annular duct to position any one of the tubes and associated caps in alignment with the opening, said opening being large enough to provide for removal of the cap and associated flame tube fromthe power plant.

9. A gas turbine power plant including an annular duct in which the combustion of fuel takes place, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein, a cover plate on said opening, a

number of flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other, a cap at the inlet end of each flame tube, and at least one fuel nozzle supported by each cap in combination with a fuel manifold located within said duct and supported for turning therein about the axis of the duct, each of said end caps benular duct in which the combustion of fuel takes place, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein, a cover plate on said opening, a number of flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other, a cap at the inlet end of each flame tube, and at least one fuel nozzle supported by each cap in combination with a fuel manifold located within said duct and supported for turning therein about the axis of the duct, each of said end caps being connected to the fuel manifold, and means for sliding said manifold and the caps mounted thereon axially of the duct to remove the caps from engagement with the flame tubes such that the manifold with the caps thereon may be turned for positioning'a selected cap in aligmnent with the opening, each cap being piloted on the flame tube for axially sliding movement.

11. A gas turbine power plant including an annular duct in which the combustion of fuel takes place, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein, a cover plate on said opening, a number of flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other, a cap at the inlet end of each flame tuba-and at least one fuel nozzle supported by each cap in combination with a fuel manifold located within said duct and supported for turning therein about the axis of the duct, each of said end caps being connected to the fuel manifold, and means for sliding said manifold and the caps mounted thereon axially of the duct to remove the caps from engagement with the flame tubes such that the manifold with the caps thereon may be turned for positioning a selected cap in alignment with the opening, each of said caps being separable from the fuel manifold to provide for removal of the cap from the power plant.

12. A gas turbine power plant including an annular duct in which the combustion of fuel takes place, said duct having an outer wall with an opening therein, a cover plate on said opening, a number of flame tubes positioned in said duct in parallel relation to each other, a cap at the inlet end of each flame tube, and at least one fuel nozzle supported by each cap in combination with a fuel manifold located within said duct and supported for turning therein about the axis manifold and the caps mounted thereon axially of the duct to remove the caps from engagement with the flame tubes such that the manifold with the caps thereon may be turned for positioning a selected cap in alignment with the opening, said cover having at least onefuel inlet tube extending therethrough and connected to but separable from the fuel manifold.

PHILIP P. NEWCOMB.

No r ferences cited. 

